Chapter 9 Chapter 9

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

TIANA’S POV

The woman was about to respond, but was interrupted by a voice from behind us. "Who are you talking to?”

I turned abruptly and beheld Lucas, striding towards us with clenched fist. I turned away from him, expecting the crimson-eyed woman still standing there, but she was gone. Not a sound, not a trace, just the trees swaying endlessly.

“I…” I began, but swallowed my words as a thought slipped into my mind. If the woman who's with me just a few seconds ago could disappear the instant he came, then there's something wrong.

“No one.” I said instead, but he stepped closer and scanned his eyes around like he could smell a lie. Then, without another word, he grabbed my arm firmly and steered me back toward the house.

“Lucas...”

“Inside,” he ordered, glancing around frantically as he's scared of someone or something.

The door slammed behind us, and before I could demand an explanation, a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Well, isn’t this sweet,” a woman’s voice drawled.

I blinked my eyes and turned in the direction instantly, only to find Eleanor standing close to the door with her arms crossed. Her gaze flicked to where Lucas’s hand still gripped my arm, and her lips curved into a sly smile.

"You might want to let go of her before I forget why I’m here.” She said and Lucas released me instantly, causing my heart to stutter.

“Mother,” he said tightly, “this isn’t a good time.”

“Clearly," she snorted. "But since the pack’s survival doesn’t seem to care about your schedule, I suggest you make time.”

Before I could even blink, she grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out. He didn’t resist, just gave me a look. One of those silent, infuriating looks that always meant later never comes.

I stood there, rooted, listening to their footsteps as they disappeared down the corridor. Left alone, I wrapped my arms around myself and began to pace about, pondering on the recent events.

Who the hell was that woman outside? And why did Eleanor suddenly smile at me that way? She hadn't done that for a long time now, could it be because of the alliance?

The clock ticked loudly, and somewhere in the hall, a door creaked open and shut. My mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Every nerve in me screamed that something wasn’t right. I moved out of the room quietly and strained my ears as I heard voices in the next chamber. It's none other than Eleanor and Lucas.

“She saw her,” Eleanor said sharply.

“Keep it down,” Lucas muttered.

“She saw her, Lucas. That changes everything!”

“She doesn’t understand what she saw,” he said with a strained voice. “And she won’t, if you don’t make it worse.”

Eleanor scoffed. “You can’t hide this forever. When the Brandfort envoy returns…”

“Enough,” he snapped.

The sound of something slamming echoed loudly. A table? A wall? I couldn’t tell. Then, there's silence. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to slow my breathing. Bloodfang. That pack again, the same one the elders talked about. What in the Moon Goddess’s name was Lucas hiding from me?

My heart skipped a beat when I heard footsteps approaching the door. I scrambled back to the room just in time to see Eleanor storming out, her eyes flashing with fury. She brushed past me so hard my shoulder knocked into the wall.

“Careful,” I said under my breath.

She turned, sneering. “Oh, don’t worry, Tatiana. You’ll get your answers soon enough. I just hope you’re ready for them.”

I stood frozen at the door, her words echoing through me like a curse. What does she mean by that? Could it be that they knew I was eavesdropping? A moment later, Lucas reappeared looking hollow. His hair was tousled, his jaw tight, his eyes shadowed.

“What did she mean by that?” I asked quietly.

He didn’t answer. Just stared at me, like he was weighing whether to lie again or finally tell me the truth.

Finally, he said, “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

My laugh came out sharp and humorless. “Right. Because that’s always your favorite line before everything goes to hell.”

“Tatiana…”

“Don’t.” I took a step back. “Just don’t. I’m tired of being the last to know what’s happening in my own life.”

Lucas sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He turned to me with softened eyes and grabbed my hands slowly, gazing deep into my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, almost sounding regretful. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have to feel shut out like this.”

I blinked, unsure how to respond. His apology wasn’t loud or defensive, it was quiet and sincere.

“Then tell me the truth,” I whispered. “What’s really going on, Lucas?”

He hesitated for a moment, tracing his thumb in slow circles against my palm. “It’s complicated. My mother’s worried about Merlyn.”

“Merlyn?” I repeated in astonishment. I haven't even thought about her or seen her since I returned.

Lucas nodded instantly, meeting my gaze. “She’s not well. The alliance has been hard on her, and with everything that’s happening, she’s been afraid, afraid she’ll lose me, or this pack.”

His voice dropped lower as he continued. “But you don’t need to worry about her, or any of this. I won’t let anything take you away from me again.”

The intensity in his eyes made my chest tighten. There was a sincerity in his tone that reached past my doubts, yet a small part of me couldn’t shake off the unease. He’d said he wouldn’t let anything take me away before. And every time, something had.

“Lucas…” I started, but he shook his head slowly, lifting my hand to his lips.

“Don’t,” he whispered against my skin. “Not tonight.”

Lucas kissed me gently, lingering just long enough to make my pulse stutter. When his eyes lifted to mine, all the storm in them had turned to something warmer, darker, and hungrier.

I should’ve pulled back. I should’ve demanded answers. But when his arm slid around my waist, all my protests tangled in my throat. His breath brushed my ear. “You have no idea what you do to me,” he murmured.

Before I could stop him, his lips were on mine, slow at first, then deeper, desperate, like he was trying to make me forget every question brewing in my mind. However, I allowed him, maybe because I wanted to forget them too.

Lucas lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bed, laying me down with a tenderness that both melted and scared me. His eyes lingered on my face, and for a moment, I thought I saw guilt there.

“Lucas,” I whispered.

“Shh,” he breathed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’m here.”

And even though some part of me believed he was still hiding something, I clung to him anyway, to the warmth, to the illusion, to the lie that maybe, just maybe, he meant every word.